ClickStart

22/11/2024

🐾 Something exciting is coming to ClickStart Dog Training this Black Friday! Keep your eyes peeled for pawsome deals. 👀

”

20/11/2024

Training Foundations & Celebrating Community!

This weekend, we’re heading to Amberslade’s UK Dog Sports event in the New Forest, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🐾

Preparation has been all about focusing on the foundations—calm stays, confident recalls, and staying connected with our dogs. Training moments like these remind us that small, steady steps lead to big successes.

But it’s not just about the training—it’s about the community! We’re thrilled to be joining our amazing clients to cheer them on and share the experience. Seeing everyone come together and celebrate their hard work is what makes these events so special.

Wish us all luck this weekend, and remember: whether it’s your first competition or your hundredth, it’s all about enjoying the journey with your dog. What foundational skill are you and your dog working on this week? Let us know below—we’d love to cheer you on too!

19/11/2024

Training is like building a house—you need a strong foundation before you add the roof. 🏠

Sometimes, we get so excited to see the final behaviour or exercise that we forget the importance of breaking it down into smaller, achievable steps. Focusing on small increments helps your dog succeed and keeps training fun and frustration-free for both of you!

Here are some tips to build solid basics:
1️⃣ Start simple: Break the behaviour into smaller pieces—focus on one step at a time.
2️⃣ Perfect the foundation: Repeat and reinforce the basics until they’re second nature for your dog.
3️⃣ Short sessions: Keep training short and positive to avoid overwhelming your dog.

Remember: advanced skills are simply the basics done brilliantly. Take your time, enjoy the journey, and celebrate those small wins—they lead to big successes!

What’s one behaviour or skill you’re currently working on? Let us know below—we’d love to hear about your progress!

18/11/2024

Just look at these amazing sit-stay superstars! From fields to beaches, busy roads to chip shops—every single one of you nailed it. 🐾🌟

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Sit/Stay Competition. You’ve all raised the bar with your creativity and effort.

Swipe through to see the full range of entries—could your dog handle these distractions? 🐶👀

18/11/2024

And the Winner Is… 🎉

A massive congratulations to Linda Thomas & Mercury, who wowed us with their incredible sit-stay skills in the middle of an active agility course, a truly challenging environment! 🏆👏
This competition wasn’t easy, with entries ranging from tempting food, busy streets, horses, sheep, and more—but Mercury’s precision and focus stood out! 🐶💪

Thank you to everyone who entered—you’ve all shown the amazing results of dedication and training. Stay tuned for our next challenge!

18/11/2024

Class Focus: UK Dog Sport Classes

Our UK Dog Sport classes are where teamwork, fun, and skill-building come together! 🐾

Each week, we focus on helping you and your dog develop skills in:
✅ Agility for speed and coordination.
✅ Obedience for control and focus.
✅ Nosework for that incredible canine sense of smell.

Our classes are designed for dogs of all breeds and abilities—whether you’re just starting or preparing for competitions. Most importantly, it’s about enjoying the journey and creating amazing memories with your dog.

📆 Ready to join us? Classes are now open for booking on our website! Spaces are limited, so don’t miss out.

👉 https://www.clickstartdogtraining.com/service-page/uk-dog-sports-novice-class-3?category=ff4c111d-8e08-4bc7-8f9b-182e1629645f&referral=service_list_widget

What’s your dog’s favourite activity in Dog Sport? Tell us below!

17/11/2024

⏳ Final call! Our sit-stay competition closes TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT! 🐾🎉

Just look at these incredible entries – from busy fields to scenic beaches and even chippies! 🍟🐕 Could your dog handle this level of distraction?

PLUS, check out our Story today to see an incredible sit-stay amidst an agility course! Think your dog can top it?

This is your LAST CHANCE to join the fun and win a FREE training toy! 🎁 Post your photo or video here or on the competition post now.

15/11/2024

🎄 The Perfect Christmas Gift for Any Dog Lover! 🎄

Looking for the ideal gift this Christmas? Treat the dog lover in your life—or yourself!—to our Beyond Basics: Skills & Thrills for Everyday Life course. Starting in the New Year, this six-week course in Carmarthen is perfect for dogs ready to build confidence, improve manners, and tackle real-world challenges! 🐾✨

What’s included?
• 🏠 Life Skills & Manners: Solid obedience for everyday situations.
• 🌳 Real-World Scenarios: Training indoors, outdoors, on walks, and even at a café!
• 🎯 Hoopers Basics & Scent Games: Fun activities to boost your dog’s skills and confidence.
• 🐶 Distraction Training: Helping your dog stay focused no matter what’s going on around them.

This course is ideal for dogs who’ve completed puppy classes, one-to-one training, or have worked on some basics at home. It’s the gift that keeps on giving—creating a reliable, happy dog that’s ready for real-world adventures! 🌍🐕

📍 Held in Carmarthen – Starts in the New Year
📅 Spots are limited, so don’t wait!
👉 Book now: https://www.clickstartdogtraining.com/service-page/beyond-basics?category=dc2a32bb-2cc4-4b90-8bff-01105859b5c4&referral=service_list_widget 👈

15/11/2024

🎄🐾 ClickStart Christmas Party 🐾🎄

We’re thrilled to invite you to our ClickStart Christmas Party at Carmarthen Showground on Monday, 16th December, 6–8 pm!

Join us for two hours of festive fun and games with your dogs. Here’s what’s in store:

✨ Merry Mutts Novelty Dog Show with categories including:
• Prettiest Bitch
• Most Handsome Dog
• Best Fancy Dress
• Most Terrific Trick

🎉 Grotto Games to get everyone in the festive spirit:
• Musical Statues
• Pass the Parcel
• Santa Sausage Hunt

🎅 What’s included?
Your ticket (£15) covers:
• Participation in all activities
• Hot drinks and mince pies for you
• A chance to take memorable photos with your furry friends

Spaces are limited, so don’t wait! Book now to secure your spot for this paw-some evening of festive fun.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and your dogs!

14/11/2024

Have you entered yet? 🐾 Show us your dog sitting in the most distracting environment for a chance to win a FREE training toy! 🎉 Whether it’s kids running around, tasty food smells, or a busy park – let’s see your best shot!

📸 Simply post your photo here before midnight on Sunday to join the fun. We can’t wait to see what your dogs can do!

Who’s up for a challenge? 🏆 Following on from yesterday’s Training Tips on generalising behaviours for real-world success, we’re bringing a bit of fun and friendly rivalry to the mix!

Let’s see your dogs holding a SIT in the most DISTRACTING environments you can think of! 🐶📸 Post your photo in the comments below for a chance to win a free training toy, chosen by us based on creativity, effort, and the challenge level of your distraction. We’ll kick things off with a photo of our dogs—Xena the Beagle unbothered by a game of tennis nearby 🎾 and Caio, the movement-sensitive Welsh Sheepdog, who finds this situation much more challenging!

Entries close at the end of the week! ⏰ Submit your photo by Sunday at midnight, and we’ll announce the winner next week.

Let’s celebrate those little victories 🎉 and see who can bring the most distractions into their dog’s world!

14/11/2024

🎃👻 Huge congratulations to Jane & Hendrix, our Halloween Trials best dressed sniffer dog team! Their fantastic costumes brought even more spirit to the night, and they’ve won a free sniffer session and a pumpkin! 🍂🐾

Well done, both of you! Looking forward to seeing you at your next sniffer session.

13/11/2024

Who’s up for a challenge? 🏆 Following on from yesterday’s Training Tips on generalising behaviours for real-world success, we’re bringing a bit of fun and friendly rivalry to the mix!

Let’s see your dogs holding a SIT in the most DISTRACTING environments you can think of! 🐶📸 Post your photo in the comments below for a chance to win a free training toy, chosen by us based on creativity, effort, and the challenge level of your distraction. We’ll kick things off with a photo of our dogs—Xena the Beagle unbothered by a game of tennis nearby 🎾 and Caio, the movement-sensitive Welsh Sheepdog, who finds this situation much more challenging!

Entries close at the end of the week! ⏰ Submit your photo by Sunday at midnight, and we’ll announce the winner next week.

Let’s celebrate those little victories 🎉 and see who can bring the most distractions into their dog’s world!

12/11/2024

Training Tips Tuesday: Generalising Behaviours for Real-World Success

One of the most effective ways to ensure your dog reliably follows cues in various settings is by generalising behaviours. This means training in different environments, with varied distractions, so your dog learns that “sit” (or any other cue) is expected no matter the surroundings. Here’s how to get started:

1. Start Simple: Begin in a quiet, familiar place, like your home. Use the cue (e.g., “sit”) with no added distractions so your dog feels comfortable and can succeed easily.

2. Change the Picture Gradually: Once your dog is responding well, slowly introduce new settings. Try asking for a sit in different rooms of your house, then move to the garden or a quiet outdoor area. Each new space presents a “different picture” for your dog, helping them to learn that the cue applies everywhere.

3. Add Distractions Slowly: As your dog becomes more confident, gradually increase distractions. Start with low-level ones—like someone walking nearby—then work up to more challenging environments, like a busier park. Patience is key here; if your dog struggles, go back a step to build their confidence.

4. Reward Consistently: Always reward your dog for responding to the cue, especially when introducing them to a new place or distraction. High-value treats can keep your dog motivated and eager to engage, reinforcing their success in different situations.

5. End on a High Note: Keep sessions short, positive, and always end with success. This will help your dog stay enthusiastic and confident about training, ready to tackle the next environment!

Remember, dogs don’t automatically understand that a “sit” cue indoors means the same thing outside or in a busy café—it’s up to us to show them through patient, progressive practice.

What environments does your dog find most challenging? Comment below, and let’s tackle them together!

08/11/2024

🌟 Congratulations to these incredible dogs and their dedicated handlers for passing their Foundation Hoopers Award today in our Hoopers class! 🌟

They’ve worked hard on those hoops, barrels, and tunnels, mastering the skills to work together as a team, and their progress has been amazing to watch. Each of these pairs has shown so much focus, drive, and teamwork on the field – they’ve truly earned those rosettes!

Well done to everyone involved; we’re so proud of you all! Here’s to many more achievements together on your Hoopers journey. 👏🐾

05/11/2024

🎆 With Halloween just around the corner, it’s also the time of year when many of us are bracing ourselves for fireworks season! While Bonfire Night lands on the 5th of November, fireworks can now be heard in the days before, the days after – and, honestly, at any time of the year.

For animals, the sudden bangs and flashes can be unsettling. It’s not only dogs; cats, small pets, livestock, wildlife, and even some people are all impacted by these sounds.

To help our pets feel more at ease, here are a few things to put in place now:

1. Get Ahead with Vet Advice: If your pet is particularly anxious, contacting your vet early is key. It’s best to plan well in advance for any calming medication options, as each one has unique benefits and may require a check-up to ensure the right fit for your pet.
2. Build a Calming Environment: Draw curtains earlier, add some background sound, and create a sense of calm with rewarding activities. Japanese Teiko Drums, rhythmic tracks or Classic FM’s pet-friendly broadcasts can help, especially when paired with something enjoyable for your pet, like a treat on a lick mat, a calming grooming session, or a quiet sniff-and-search game.
3. Shift Daily Routines Gradually: By moving feeding and toilet breaks to earlier in the day, you’re giving pets more time to settle indoors as evening arrives. From around 3 pm, keep your dog secure with up-to-date ID tags, and check that collars, leads, and harnesses are sturdy. Cats can benefit from extra litter trays and being kept indoors from mid-afternoon, while small pets may need quieter spaces for added soundproofing.

We’ll be thinking of you all and hoping for a safe, calm season ahead!

Japanese Taiko Drumming Video for Calming Background: https://youtu.be/1czjURFkHh0?si=4FzFE820FMGPjdvd

01/11/2024

🚨 Last Call! 🚨

We have a few spots left in our Sniffer Dogs Foundations & Beyond class starting tomorrow at 1 pm! If you’re looking to build or enhance your dog’s scent detection skills, now’s the time to join us. 🐶👃 This class is perfect for beginners or those looking to advance their training in a supportive environment.

Don’t miss out – secure your spot today by following this link: https://www.clickstartdogtraining.com/service-page/sniffer-dogs-foundations-beyond?category=95ee7ae0-4615-4502-89e6-b1e98643bb12&referral=service_list_widget

Act fast and see you there! 🐾

01/11/2024

📢 Now Enrolling: New Year Puppy Classes! 📢

Start 2025 off on the right paw! Our New Year Puppy Classes are now open for booking, designed for puppies from 10 weeks old to build confidence, socialise, and learn those all-important early skills.

With small class sizes, each pup gets plenty of individual attention in a fun, safe environment. Perfect for setting up a lifetime of good behaviour and a strong bond with you from the very start. 🐾

Ready to give your puppy the best start in 2025? Click here to book your spot for our New Year classes: https://www.clickstartdogtraining.com/book-online?category=f4676415-f6e5-4662-ba2e-a02941068a88&page=

Let’s make 2025 your puppy’s best year!